The public Health Ministry insists a ministerial requirement for tobacco firms to enlarge warning labels on cigarette packaging is lawful.
The ministry followed proper procedures and regulation regarding the issuing of a requirement for tobacco firms to put bigger graphic warning on their products, Public Health Minister Pradit Sintawanarong said.
He made his remarks in response to threats on Tuesday by the THai Tobacco Trade Association -including tobacco giants Philip Morris and Japan Tobacco Inc -to sue the ministry over the new rules which are set to take effect from Dec 31 this year.
The ministry has ordered tobacco firms to enlarge warning labels to cover 85% of the total visible packaging space.
Current rules, in effect since 2010, require warning labels to cover just 55% of the packaging.
The tobacco companies want the courts to rule whether the ministerial regulation breaks the low.